Death of former Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi

04. Jul, 2003

PRESS RELEASE

4 July 2003

Issued by the Catholic Communications Office on behalf of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland

DEATH OF FORMER APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO IRELAND ARCHBISHOP GAETANO ALIBRANDI

The Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland has the sad duty to inform of the death of Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi, former Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.

Archbishop Alibrandi was born on the 14th of January 1914 in Castiglione di Sicilia, diocese of Acireale (Sicily). He was ordained a priest on the 1st of November 1936. After attending the Pontifical Seminary of Rome, he obtained a Doctorate in Divinity from the Pontifical Lateran University. He went on to obtain from the same University a Doctorate in Civil and Canon Law.

On entering the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See in 1941, he served for 5 years in the Vatican Secretariat of State and subsequently in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Italy, Turkey, Ireland, Mexico and Indonesia.

He was appointed Titular Archbishop of Binda and Apostolic Nuncio to Chile on the 5th of October 1961 and received his Episcopal Ordination on the 8th of December 1961. He also served as Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon (1964 -1969) prior to his appointment to Ireland in 1969 where he served for almost 20 years (19 April 1969 – 15 January 1989).

After reaching the retirement age of 75, he returned to his home town in Sicily and there he died, yesterday, the 3rd of July 2003.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated tomorrow in Castiglione di Sicilia by Archbishop Paolo Romeo, Apostolic Nuncio to Italy.

A memorial Mass for Archbishop Alibrandi will be celebrated by Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, on Friday, the 11th of July at 19.30 in the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Navan Road, Dublin 7.

May his soul rest in peace and receive the reward the Lord has reserved for his faithful servants.